Research Project: Omics-Based Approach to Detection, Identification, and Systematics of Plant Pathogenic Phytoplasmas and Spiroplasmas

Location: Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

First report of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini'-related strain associated with peach yellows in Pennsylvania - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Costanzo, S., Jones, T., Kari, P., Nikolaeva, E. 2025. First report of Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini-related strain associated with peach yellows in Pennsylvania. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-25-1240-PDN.

First report of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench infected by a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia/citri’-related strain in Taiwan - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Feng, Y., Hung, T., Wei, W., Chang, T., Chiu, Y. 2025. First report of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench infected by a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia/citri’-related strain in Taiwan. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-25-1280-PDN.

Beyond single-pathogen models: understanding mixed infections involving phytoplasmas and other plant pathogens - (Review Article)
Yu, S., Wei, W. 2025. Beyond single-pathogen models: understanding mixed infections involving phytoplasmas and other plant pathogens. Plants. 14(13),2049. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14132049.

Status and distribution of diseases caused by phytoplasmas in Africa - (Review Article)
Kazeem, S.A., Zwolinska, A., Mulema, J.M., Ogunfunmilayo, A.O., Salihu, S., Nwogwugwu, J.O., Ajene, I.J., Ogunsola, J.F., Adediji, A.O., Oduwaye, O.F., Kra, K.D., Jibrin, M.O., Wei, W. 2025. Status and distribution of diseases caused by phytoplasmas in Africa. Microorganisms. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13061229.

Integrating precision agriculture principles and techniques into phytoplasma research for enhanced disease management - (Book / Chapter)

Phytoplasma transmission via seeds: a hypothesis awaiting definitive evidence - (Book / Chapter)

Exploring plant epigenetic responses to Paulownia Witches'-Broom phytoplasma infection - (Book / Chapter)

Unraveling plant responses to Jujube Witches'-Broom phytoplasma infection through Omics analysis - (Book / Chapter)

Molecular aspects of phytoplasma infection: ubiquitin-proteasome system and transcription factors under attack - (Book / Chapter)

Convolvulus arvensis is a novel host of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma Omanense'-related strains causing Little Leaf Disease in Jordan - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abu Alloush, A.H., Inaba, J., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Shao, J.Y., Obeidat, N., Wei, W. 2025. Convolvulus arvensis is a novel host of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma Omanense'-related strains causing Little Leaf Disease in Jordan. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-24-2635-PDN.

First report of Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni-related strain and Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris-related strain associated with North American grapevine yellows of cultivated grapevines in Minnesota - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bratsch, S., Kim, B., Grabowski, M., Costanzo, S. 2025. First report of Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni-related strain and Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris-related strain associated with North American grapevine yellows of cultivated grapevines in Minnesota. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-25-0232-PDN.

CRISPR/Cas-based detection of Spiroplasma citri for citrus stubborn disease management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shih, J., Wei, W. 2025. CRISPR/Cas-based detection of Spiroplasma citri for citrus stubborn disease management. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 15(1):161-162. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2025.00083.6.

Development of a multilocus sequence typing method for accurate identification of 16SrV phytoplasma strains via Oxford nanopore - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Costanzo, S., Grinstead, S.C., Zhao, Y., Wei, W. 2025. Development of a multilocus sequence typing method for accurate identification of 16SrV phytoplasma strains via Oxford nanopore. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 15(1):17-18. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2025.00008.2.

Leveraging artificial intelligence and big data to advance Phytoplasma disease detection and crop health management - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Shao, J.Y., Zhao, Y. 2025. Leveraging artificial intelligence and big data to advance Phytoplasma disease detection and crop health management. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 15(1):15-16. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2025.00007.6.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation of tomato RAD23 knockouts for studying phytoplasma-induced symptoms - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Inaba, J., Kim, B., Zhao, Y., Wei, W. 2025. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation of tomato RAD23 knockouts for studying phytoplasma-induced symptoms. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 15(1):9-10. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2025.00004.7.

Assessment of pear decline prevalence and phytoplasma infection in major commercial orchards of Al-Mafraq, Jordan - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abu Alloush, A.H., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Quaglino, F., Wei, W. 2025. Assessment of pear decline prevalence and phytoplasma infection in major commercial orchards of Al-Mafraq, Jordan. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 15(1):71-72. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2025.00040.4.

Trichoderma: Harzianum complex clade species distribution in soils of Central and South America - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ismaiel, A.A., Jambhulkar, P.P., Sinha, P., Lakshman, D.K. 2024. Trichoderma: Harzianum complex clade species distribution in soils of Central and South America. The Journal of Fungi. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10120813.

Phytoplasmas: Molecular characterization and host-pathogen interactions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Zhao, Y., Quaglino, F. 2024. Phytoplasmas: Molecular characterization and host-pathogen interactions. Biology. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090735.

Unraveling morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic alterations underlying the formation of little leaves in phytoplasma-infected sweet cherry trees - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tan, Y., Xu, L., Zhu, M., Zhao, Y., Wei, H., Wei, W. 2024. Unraveling morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic alterations underlying the formation of little leaves in phytoplasma-infected sweet cherry trees. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-24-0862-RE.

First report of a phytoplasma strain in the Elm Yellows Group (16SrV) associated with Virginia Creeper in Maryland, USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Padmanabhan, C., Nunziata, S.O., Kim, B., Rivera, Y., Costanzo, S. 2024. First report of a phytoplasma strain in the Elm Yellows Group (16SrV) associated with Virginia Creeper in Maryland, USA. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-06-24-1176-PDN.

iPhyDSDB: Phytoplasma disease and symptom database - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Shao, J.Y., Zhao, Y., Inaba, J., Ivanauskas, A., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Costanzo, S., Kim, B., Flowers, K., Escobar, J.I. 2024. iPhyDSDB: Phytoplasma disease and symptom database. Biology. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090657.

Momordica charantia is a novel host of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma malaysianum'-related strains associated with bitter melon stem fasciation disease in China - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bottner-Parker, K.D., Qiao, K., Huang, W., Zhao, Y., Yang, Z., Cai, H., Wei, W. 2024. Momordica charantia is a novel host of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma malaysianum'-related strains associated with bitter melon stem fasciation disease in China. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-24-0971-PDN.

First report of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma sacchari’-related strain associated with yellowing and decline of Silver Bluestem in Texas, U.S.A. - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rios, D., Ueckert, J., Ong, K., Barillas, J.R., Costanzo, S. 2024. First report of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma sacchari’-related strain associated with yellowing and decline of Silver Bluestem in Texas, U.S.A. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-24-0524-PDN.

Differential symptomology, susceptibility, and titer dynamics manifested by phytoplasma-infected periwinkle and tomato plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ivanauskas, A., Inaba, J., Zhao, Y., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Wei, W. 2024. Differential symptomology, susceptibility, and titer dynamics manifested by phytoplasma-infected periwinkle and tomato plants. Plants. 13:787. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060787.

AGRAMP: Machine learning models for predicting antimicrobial peptides against phytopathogenic bacteria - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shao, J.Y., Zhao, Y., Wei, W., Vaisman, I. 2024. AGRAMP: Machine learning models for predicting antimicrobial peptides against phytopathogenic bacteria. Frontiers in Microbiology. 15:1304044. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1304044.

Guilt by association: DNA-barcoding based identification of potential plant hosts of phytoplasmas from their insect carriers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Inaba, J., Shao, J.Y., Trivellone, V., Zhao, Y., Dietrich, C.H., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Ivanauskas, A., Wei, W. 2023. Guilt by association: DNA-barcoding based identification of potential plant hosts of phytoplasmas from their insect carriers. Phytopathology. 113(3):413-422. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-09-22-0323-R.

The endoplasmic reticulum is a key battleground between phytoplasma aggression and host plant defense - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Inaba, J., Kim, B., Zhao, Y., Jansen, M.A., Wei, W. 2023. The endoplasmic reticulum is a key battleground between phytoplasma aggression and host plant defense. Cells. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12162110.

Exploring changes in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) profiles of tomato plants infected with phytoplasma - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ivanauskas, A., Zhang, A., Zhao, Y., Wei, W. 2023. Exploring changes in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) profiles of tomato plants infected with phytoplasma. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 13(1):5-6. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2023.00003.8.

Lectin binding assay reveals phytoplasma infection-induced alteration of plant host protein glycosylation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kim, B., Inaba, J., Zhao, Y., Wei, W. 2023. Lectin binding assay reveals phytoplasma infection-induced alteration of plant host protein glycosylation. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 13(1):7-8. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2023.00004.X.

Phytoplasma infection alters polar lipid composition and triggers chloroplast autophagy in host plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Inaba, J., Kim, B., Zhao, Y., Wei, W. 2023. Phytoplasma infection alters polar lipid composition and triggers chloroplast autophagy in host plants. Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 13(1):3-4. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2023.00002.6.

Editorial: Recent advances in crop diseases associated with plant vascular-colonizing bacteria - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Ait Barka, E., Eichmeier, A. 2023. Editorial: Recent advances in crop diseases associated with plant vascular-colonizing bacteria. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14. Article e1171973. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1171973.

Tomato and Jute Mallow are two new hosts of papaya bunchy top phytoplasma, a 'Candidatus phytoplasma convolvuli'-related strain in Nigeria - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Inaba, J., Kazeem, S.E., Zhao, Y., Zwolinska, A., Ogunfunmilayo, A.O., Arogundade, O., Wei, W. 2023. Tomato and Jute Mallow are two new hosts of papaya bunchy top phytoplasma, a 'Candidatus phytoplasma convolvuli'-related strain in Nigeria. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-22-2192-PDN.

Multilocus sequence typing of phytoplasmas associated with Flavescence dorée disease in Tuscany vineyards identifies a highly homogeneous lineage in the subgroup 16SrV-C - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pierro, R., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Panattoni, A., Wei, W., Marcone, C., Rizzo, D., Materazzi, A., Quaglino, F., Zhao, Y. 2022. Multilocus sequence typing of phytoplasmas associated with Flavescence dorée disease in Tuscany vineyards identifies a highly homogeneous lineage in the subgroup 16SrV-C. Crop Protection. 163. Article 106114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2022.106114.

Draft Genome Sequence Resource of CBPPT1, a 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trfolii'-related strain associated with potato purple top disease in the Columbia Basin, USA - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Shao, J.Y., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Zhao, Y. 2022. Draft Genome Sequence Resource of CBPPT1, a 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trfolii'-related strain associated with potato purple top disease in the Columbia Basin, USA. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-22-1788-A.

Phytoplasma taxonomy: nomenclature, classification and identification - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Zhao, Y. 2022. Phytoplasma taxonomy: nomenclature, classification and identification. Biology. 11/1119. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11081119.